Medicinal bath.



UNITED STATES PA TENT OFFICE. l

ALBERT HEMPEL, OF LEIPZIG-OETZSCH, GERMANY.

MEDICINAL BATH.

No Drawing.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT HEMPEL, a

citizen of Gcrmanv. residin at Lei zi c 25 D ()etzscli. Germany. have invented certain new and useful lnmrovements in Medicinal Baths. of which the following is a specification. 7

My invention relates to medicinal baths and has for its object to provide means whereby a bath of-this kind can be efi'ectively prepared and administered.

According to my invent-ion a material which is highly absorbent, and capable of yielding a pulp with liquids, such asthe various forms of cellulose, vegetable fibers, cotton wool, etc., is impregnated with materials which have curative properties. Thus there may be incorporatedwith the pulp-forming materials ingredients \vhich upon the addition of water Wlll liberate gases. such as carbon dioxid (CO sulfur dioxid (S0 sulfureted hydrogen (H 8), or oxygen "(0 Other materials such as sea water salts, pine needle or' malt extracts, or ingredients which will liberate iodin and bromin. and in general all recognized curative agents, may also beused.

The various ingredients may be incorporated with the pulp-forming material in any desired manner either in a dry or wet condition, pressure being used if necessary.

T he impregnated pulp-forming materials and then dried, in vacuo if necessary, and formed into pieces of any desired size and shape.

\Vhen the medicated pulp-forming material is added to a proper amount of Water, a pulp-like mass is formed, which in addition to its medicinal qualities has the advantage that it will retain the temperature desired, within permissible limits, for a very much longer period-of, time than is possible without the use of such pulp-forming materials, so that there is no cooling off of the bath during the time which it is usually desirable for such baths to continue. Further the ethereal odors, and in particular the gases generated, such as CO S0 H 5, and 0 are prevented fromlescaping through the pulp-like mass. Owing to the greater consistence given to the bath by the pulp-forming material a surface application by rubbing or massage is effected with particular advantage, thus largely enhancing the curative efiect.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

Application filed December 6, 1909. Serial No. 531,635.

lulose can be rendered entirely clean and.

wholesome, and is always of a homogeneous and known composition which is 'a feature of much value in the treatment of many diseases. The cellulose material moreover is chemically inert and has noreaction with the various materials which are incorporated with it. I

The following examples will illustrate the manner of applying my invention Example 1: Oxygen baths may be obtained by addingto the cellulose bath such materials as will liberate oxygen, for example sodium perborate.

Example 2: The tablets to prepare a carbonic acid bath are of two kinds, one consisting of a cellulose tablet impregnated with an alkaline material such as sodium bi carbonate, and the other with an acid material such as sodium bisulfate. The tablets, whichmust contain about 1000 grams of hicarbonate and weigh. about 41: kilos, are first added-to the water. As soon as the tablet has broken up and the bicarbonate dissolved, a second cellulose tablet containing about 1000 grams of bisulfate, of soda is "added.

A suitable cellulose material is chemically prepared wood pulp, for example pulp from paper works, which is capable of forming a mat-like or felt-like substance or jelly that will neither settle to the bottom of the bath nor break upinto separate portions. This layer of cellulose materials retains its high temperature for a long time and Will therefore keep the bath at a uniform temperature for hours at a time. the bathing water are thoroughly saturated with the gas or other ingredients, the whole forming a voluminous jelly-like cover which prevents the escape of gas and heat, so that The cellulose felt and practically the entire amount of gas 'dethe gases being retarded by the covering layer of cellulose material.

3. The process of forming a medicinal In testimony whereof, I aflix my si g'natur bath, Whifih consists in addingfto Waterhsufin presence of two Witnesses. ficient ce ulose materials to orm :1 eatand gas-retaining layer thereover, such cel- ALBERT HEMPEL' 5 lulose being impregnated with materials Witnesses:

which upon access of water thereto will pro- RUDOLPI-I FRICKE, duce a gas. GEORG SIEGERT. 

